Call for Expressions of Interest to Map Literature, Policies and Stakeholders on Illicit Transfers and Tax Reforms in Egypt, Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa

Africa is said to be losing billions of dollars every year to tax dodging and illicit outflows. Governments and multinational organisations are reportedly responsible for the loss of about USD50 billion yearly in illicit transfers as they are engaged in activities that pose challenges to tax reforms with implications for development and livelihoods in some of the poorest countries on the continent. According to the AU/ECA report on Illicit Financial Flows, Africa is said to have lost about USD850 billion between 1970 and 2008.

Over that period, about USD217.7 billion is estimated to have been illegally transferred out of Nigeria, USD105.2 billion from Egypt, more than USD81.8 billion from South Africa, while Kenya is reported to have lost about $1.51 billion between 2002 and 2011. Tax reforms and illicit outflows and its many consequences have in part been precipitated by the inertia of governance models, fragile tax institutions, tax havens whose influence are beyond African governments as well as the paucity of technical and financial resources to combat financial crimes and money laundering.

It is with this background that PASGR wishes to commission studies in four countries: Egypt, Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa. Applicant(s) should apply for only one country study. The objective of each country study is to map the literature, policies and stakeholders on illicit transfers and tax reforms. This is a desk study which does not require the researcher to collect primary/empirical data.

Interested applicant(s) are invited to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) in line with the Terms of Reference. All applications should be sent to PASGR Research research@pasgr.org by Friday, November 17, 2017, 0000Hrs East Africa time. Quote “Tax Reforms and Illicit Transfers Study – Kenya” in the subject line of your email. The assignment is expected to be completed by February 1, 2018.

Successful applicants will be notified by Friday, November 24, 2017, and given further guidelines on the mapping.